Jimmy Cowan running for Marion County property appraiser

Tuesday

Jimmy Cowan will face two rivals in the property appraiser election set for Nov. 3, 2020.

Another Marion County Property Appraiser's Office employee joined the race for the top seat after longtime property appraiser Villie M. Smith announced he would not seek a seventh term in 2020.

Jimmy Cowan, a 27-year veteran of the office, filed to run in June and will face two rivals after Lee Herbst and Andrew Serrano withdrew from the race earlier this year, according to the Marion County Supervisor of Elections Office. Both Herbst and Serrano also are property appraiser employees.

Cowan will face Neil “Nick” Nikkinen, another Property Appraiser's Office colleague, and current Marion County Commissioner David Moore for the seat.

It is Cowan's first time running for public office.

"I didn't wake up one day and say, 'I want to be a politician.' I soul searched and prayed on it. It's what I know. It what I've done for 27 years," Cowan said.

The 50-year-old Cowan started at the Property Appraiser's Office in May 1992 as a field appraiser. He is currently the director of field operations for residential real property.

"I do believe I can hit the ground running. I think I can pick up where Villie leaves off when he retires," Cowan said.

Besides the Property Appraiser's Office, Cowan has only worked at one other place. He was the night manager at an Ocala bowling ally and is an avid bowler. His skill at the game earned him scholarships to the College of Central Florida.

"I think I can honestly say I'm the only candidate in the race that's bowled a 300 game," he said, adding he's put up a perfect score only once in his life.

Nikkinen is assistant property appraiser. He has worked in Smith’s office for three years and has almost 30 years of experience in the industry.

Moore, a real estate broker, is serving his second term representing District 1 which covers southeast Marion. He must resign his commission seat once he officially qualifies to run for property appraiser next year.

All three are running as Republicans. The election is set for Nov. 3, 2020.

Contact Carlos E. Medina at 867-4157 or cmedina@starbanner.com

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